I recently had a client who had a "getting by" desktop (aka an older desktop computer just getting them by with headaches until they have enough money to get a better one) and they came to me asking me what I could recommend.
I said right now is the second to best time to look into getting a computer (back to school promotions, first being the week between thanksgiving and xmas) and if you don't want to go down the "getting by" route again you want to think longevity and scalability. "factory" computers like HP and Dell put in as much conceptual design to their desktops as they do technical consolidations so how their built (form factor) isnt always the best nor are the parts to try and get it in to their price point.
Furthermore they would have to use aftermarket or parts they are not their own for the user to be able to "hot swap" or change out to upgrade which would push their price point even more and the simple fact any "tinkering" would void their warranty.
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That said, I tell people even if you find a desktop on sale, on clearance that is just a"too good" of deal with all the best parts, it's either probably too good to be true OR a bait and switch type thing. So I always recommend to build yourself with either a DIY kit or have someone do it for you. For the typical user who are not gamers or power users, Ive taken the time to put together five packages between the 400 - 600 price point for any "regular" user who surfs the net, email and social media that will last.
For all you back to school folks and those like my client looking to upgrade, contact us today for a free consultation and a flat rate of $200 for a custom build which includes setup, build, install, update, and custom configurations. Ill eat my hat if you can find a better deal! (if you do, ill offer %50 labor!)
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This machine is really the entry level and most affordable desktop computer that has everything you NEED and nothing more but provides future addons and upgrades. Find every penny you can in the couch.
CPU : AMD A10-5800K Trinity 3.8GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7660D AD580KWOHJBOX
Motherboard : ASRock FM2A75M-ITX R2.0 FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX AMD Motherboard
Memory : G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-4GBXM
Hard Drive : Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Optical / Disc Drive : LG 24X DVD Burner - Bare Drive 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model GH24NS95
Case : APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 250W Power Supply
Better Power Supply : SeaSonic SS-350ET Bronze 350W ATX12V V2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - OEM
Operating System : None
This machine are for those who are looking for something more but not a lot more yet still budget-minded.
CPU : AMD A10-5800K Trinity 3.8GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7660D AD580KWOHJBOX
Motherboard : ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Memory : G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-4GBXM
Hard Drive : Western Digital WD Blue WD2500AAKX 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Optical / Disc Drive : ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM
Case : HEC Vigilance Black 0.5 mm Thickness SGCC MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case with Dual 8cm Fan, 2x USB2.0 and HD Audio
Better Power Supply : SeaSonic SS-350ET Bronze 350W ATX12V V2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - OEM
Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
This machine would be built for someone who is looking for a balance of affordability and quality
CPU : AMD A8-5600K Trinity 3.6GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7560D AD560KWOHJBOX
Motherboard : ASRock FM2A55M-DGS FM2 AMD A55 (Hudson D2) Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Memory : G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-1866C9D-8GAB
Hard Drive : WD WD Blue WDBAAX5000ENC-NRSN 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Retail kit
Optical / Disc Drive : ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM
Case : COOLER MASTER N200 NSE-200-KKN1 Support 240mm Radiator Liquid Cooling Midnight Black MicroATX Computer Case
Better Power Supply : SeaSonic SS-350ET Bronze 350W ATX12V V2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - OEM
Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Even Better (click for more detail)
This machine would be for someone who has $500 and wants to get as much as they can
CPU : AMD A10-6800K Richland 4.1GHz (4.4GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop Processor - Black Edition AMD Radeon HD 8670D
Motherboard : ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Memory : G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-1866C9D-8GAB
Hard Drive : Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Optical / Disc Drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner : Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM
Case : XION XON-560 mATX/ ITX Meshed Mini Tower Case, USB 3.0, Black/Blue LED
Better Power Supply : SeaSonic SS-350ET Bronze 350W ATX12V V2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - OEM
Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Finally, this machine is for someone who wants the best parts of each of these under $600. For peek performance, quality and affordability.
CPU : AMD A10-5800K Trinity 3.8GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7660D AD580KWOHJBOX
Motherboard : ASRock FM2A75M-ITX R2.0 FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX AMD Motherboard
Memory : G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-1866C9D-8GAB
Hard Drive : Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Optical / Disc Drive : ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM
Case : BitFenix Prodigy Arctic White / White Steel / Plastic Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case
Better Power Supply : SeaSonic SS-350ET Bronze 350W ATX12V V2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - OEM
Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
